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Chapter 12N
🕑 Added 2025-06-22 21:19:18 +0000 UTCChapter 12N
“No, Ranzan, who said you’re useless? I’ll be relying on all of you soon. For now… you’re the only ones I’ve got.”
Rēn glanced at the dazed Shisui. That stubborn idealist still hadn’t let go of his impossible fantasy.
Even after awakening Kotoamatsukami, the ocular technique capable of rewriting another’s will, Shisui still clung to the delusion that the village and the clan could communicate, understand each other, and resolve their conflict peacefully. He knew it was impossible, yet he insisted on believing otherwise.
Shisui was that kind of idealist—someone who understood the truth yet clung to the inherited Will of Fire without compromise.
At this moment, after being shaken by Root’s attack on Rēn, Shisui could no longer be relied upon.
Or rather, as long as he didn’t turn against them, that was already help enough......And if tonight unfolded as planned, the pressure would do what persuasion couldn’t. Shisui would break free from his delusions—and finally see things clearly.
“Rēn, what the hell is going on…?”
Uchiha Ranzan looked around, staring at the unrecognizable corpses scattered about. His expression grew heavier. “Who attacked you?”
“Who else could it be?”
“Danzō? That bastard.”
Danzō had a terrible reputation within the Uchiha clan, and especially among Rēn’s close circle of friends. They had nothing but disdain for him.
“Enough, Ranzan. We don’t have any proof that it was Danzō. And even if we did, chances are we still wouldn’t be able to do anything to the Hokage’s advisor. All we’d accomplish is putting the clan in a difficult spot.”
“Rēn, the plan… when are we executing it?”
Uchiha Chihaya.
Fifteen years old. Two months younger than Rēn. And was a childhood friend. Promoted to jōnin at the end of last year, and not even half a year had passed since then. But even the newest jōnin of the Uchiha clan required at least two jōnin to confront, unless they were certain they could deal with genjutsu from the Sharingan.
“Hey, Chihaya. Shisui is still here!”
Ranzan signaled her with his eyes.
Unfortunately,
The airheaded beauty of the Uchiha clan didn’t catch on to his intent at all and asked instead, “Ranzan, got sand in your eyes?”
“Haha!”
Uchiha Akitarō, always the spectator, laughed so hard he held his stomach.
“Cut it out, you guys. Ranzan, you too—don’t worry. I talked with Shisui earlier today. I’ve already told him about the plan.”
Rēn stepped in before things got out of hand. “Chihaya, have some patience. If you bite into freshly made takoyaki too fast, you’ll burn your mouth. Once the time is right, you’ll be informed.”
“Got it.”
Chihaya gave a short reply and stayed quiet.
“Shisui… hey, Rēn. Are you sure about this?”
Ranzan moved to Rēn’s side and glanced at the still-dazed Shisui. He lowered his voice and said, “His side of the family has always been close to the village. He might not support the plan. If he informs the clan head ahead of time, we might lose everything.”
“It’s fine. Shisui still cares about the clan. Even if he doesn’t help, he won’t betray us.”
Compared to that—
No one had expected the clan head’s eldest son to become the one who would one day slaughter the entire clan.
“As long as you know what you’re doing.”
Ranzan didn’t ask further.
As the oldest in the group, it was almost natural that he had taken on the role of watching over this bunch of misfits. Half willingly, half by necessity, he’d reined in his pride and sharpness as a genius and grown into this calm and steady figure without realizing it.
“Alright, everyone. Enough small talk. The big shots are about to show up. Get it together. Don’t let anyone look down on the Uchiha.”
Rēn pushed off his knees and stood up, eyes turning southwest.
The flames still burned in that direction.
But in the next instant, a wave of clear water swept in, dousing the blaze. The surroundings darkened, and the ground trembled slightly. The water-soaked land began to rise and split apart, opening a broad and clear path.
“Whoa… an Earth Style technique on this scale… definitely an elite.”
Uchiha Akitarō couldn’t help himself again. His bad habit of speaking at the wrong time resurfaced.
Through the newly-formed road, a group of people rushed forward. Leading them was a man in a black combat suit—the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, once famed as the “God of Shinobi.”
The sixty-year-old man charged at the front like a fired arrow, and even from dozens of meters away, his sharp aura could be felt.
“They’re coming in hot, Rēn.”
“Shut it, Akitarō. No one will mistake you for mute if you stay quiet.”
“I was just stating the truth. Why are you always picking on me, Ranzan-nii?”
“Less whining. Shut up. Keep talking and see what happens.”
Akitarō pouted, clearly annoyed.
But he didn’t dare talk back. He’d sparred with Ranzan twenty-two times—and lost all twenty-two.
Seeing the gleam in Ranzan’s eyes, he wisely shrank back.
Rēn ignored the banter and stepped forward to meet the approaching Hokage and elders.
“Hokage-sama.”
“Rēn-kun.”
The Third stopped in front of him and greeted him briefly.
Then, with a wave of his hand, he directed his subordinates to begin work. Medical-nin quickly surrounded Naruto and carefully began examining the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki. A group of masked ANBU scattered into the shadows, likely to investigate the scene.
Once everyone had started working in an orderly fashion, the old man—his face already spotted with age—finally looked back at Rēn.
“Sorry to keep you waiting, Rēn-kun.”
“You’re too kind.”
“Then, can you tell me exactly what happened here?”
The Third spoke as if he had no idea what had occurred.
“I was escorting my sister’s classmate home. Along the way, I was attacked by unidentified enemies. There were twelve of them, all very strong. They didn’t say a word—just attacked. To protect Naruto, my sister’s classmate, I had no choice but to eliminate them all.”
“Did you identify who the attackers were?”
“No. Each one had powerful self-destructing sealing techniques on their bodies. I checked, but found nothing. Maybe ANBU’s experts will find something. That’s why I stayed here to preserve the scene. But I didn’t expect you to come in person, Hokage-sama.”
Rēn answered plainly and precisely. His tone was respectful, but there was a mechanical coldness to his delivery—like a puppet without emotion.
Just then,
One of the ANBU investigating the corpses seemed to discover something and quickly walked over. He glanced at Rēn, who stood close to the Hokage, but before he could speak, the Third raised a hand.
“If you’ve found something, speak up. No need to hold back.”
“Yes.”
The ANBU, part of the corpse processing team, responded with a bow.
Without delay, he reported quickly, “Hokage-sama, we’ve examined the corpses. There were no identifiable objects on them. However, their inner clothing was made from a highly water-permeable material. This type of material is rarely used in the Land of Fire, but it’s in high demand in the Land of Water and the Land of Rain.”
